Federal Agents Use Tear Gas Following Fatal Shooting in Minneapolis
Federal agents employed tear gas to disperse crowds gathered near the scene where they fatally shot a man during an attempted detention in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on 24 January 2026. This incident has ignited fresh protests in a city already reeling from a similar killing less than three weeks prior.
Second Fatal Shooting by Federal Agents in Under Three Weeks
At approximately 9am on Saturday, agents shot and killed a 37-year-old US citizen in the Eat Street area, a corridor known for its immigrant-owned restaurants and businesses. Observers watched and recorded the event, with footage circulating widely. This marks the second such incident in Minneapolis, following the death of 37-year-old Renee Good, who was shot by a federal agent in south Minneapolis on 7 January.
The killing occurred just one day after tens of thousands of residents participated in an economic blackout and protest march, demanding an end to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) occupation and justice for Good. Local leaders have consistently called for ICE to leave the state, with "ICE OUT" signs becoming a common sight on front lawns across snow-covered neighbourhoods.
Escalating Tensions and Community Response
In the aftermath of the shooting, dozens of federal agents repeatedly fired chemical irritants into the air and at protesters who were shouting at them. Several individuals were arrested during the confrontation. One woman captured on a livestream yelled, "What are you doing? You just shot someone and now you're terrorizing us. What more can we take?"
The city, along with surrounding suburbs and rural areas, remains under what many describe as a siege by thousands of federal agents. Some residents, including US citizens, have reportedly barely left their homes in weeks, fearing detention regardless of immigration status. In response, communities have organised mutual aid networks to deliver food and essential items, while parents have joined patrols outside schools to ensure children's safety. Disturbingly, children as young as two and five years old have been detained in recent operations.
Official Reactions and Accusations
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz expressed outrage during a press conference, stating, "You ask us for peace, and we give it, and we get shot in the face on the streets coming out of a donut shop." Meanwhile, the federal government has followed a familiar pattern by placing blame on the deceased before completing an investigation, with former President Donald Trump issuing statements about fraud in the state. Local officials have immediately questioned federal accounts, citing video evidence and insisting that local law enforcement must be involved in any inquiry.
Rachel Sayre, director of Minneapolis' emergency management department, drew stark comparisons between the current situation and conflict zones she has witnessed internationally. "My background is in international humanitarian response in conflict zones in Yemen, Haiti, Syria, Iraq and Ukraine," she said. "What I've seen here is what I've seen there – a powerful entity violently and intentionally terrorizing people."
Ongoing Monitoring and Preparedness
A network of observers continues to monitor immigration enforcement activity around the clock, tracking officers and alerting residents to their presence. Agents have reportedly grown increasingly hostile towards these observers, pulling them from cars, using chemical irritants against them, and making arrests. Despite this, observers remain undeterred, with one GoFundMe campaign seeking funds for protective equipment such as goggles, gas masks, and bulletproof vests to enable continued monitoring of ICE operations.
There is a growing sense that the situation in Minnesota is becoming untenable, with little expectation that the federal government will de-escalate. Governor Walz summarised the sentiment: "This will end when enough Americans say this will end. Do I have any confidence Donald Trump will do the right thing? No, I don't have a lot of confidence Donald Trump will do the right thing. I do have a lot of confidence that the majority of the American people will do the right thing."
